According to my mother, her grandfather, Patrick Gallagher, left Castlederg with his brothers Frank and Hugh to emigrate to Philadelphia around 1865. He opened a pub and was very successful. He married a Winifred Sheridan but I am not sure she was from Tyrone or not.
Descendants of Frank told me that the old family home is still there but the current owners have built a new house nearby. If anyone has information on the Gallagher home, I would appreciate knowing where it is. My daughter and I visited the town and spent a happy evening singing and dancing at the pub on the Main Street. Everyone was so friendly and willing to talk after we explained our interest in the area. I'd love to go back to see the old homestead before I am too decrepit to make the journey. In addition I would love to find out Patrick's parents names and how to search the local records--if possible. I know parish priests have more important things to do than search old records but perhaps someone else would do that. Thanks for any help. Mary Jo Corrigan (they are from Fintona) O'Rourke.
Thursday 18th Apr 2013, 08:02PM
Message Board Replies
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Hi Mary Jo,
Thanks again for your message.
It may be an idea to write to the local parish priest and very nicely ask him for assistance! It really depends on where you are searching but sometimes they can be very helpful and accommodating, whereas other times like you said they may be too busy. However it may be worth a try.
Once again here is the Irish Times websites to show what records are available for the area:
Donegal Ancestry have copies, if you would like to email them here is their address:info@donegalancestry.com
a fee may apply.
Please be patient - as our programme has only begun to rollout across the island of Ireland and volunteers in some areas may not yet be organized.
Kind regards,
Genealogy Support
Tuesday 28th May 2013, 11:48AM -
Hi Mary Jo
A Jane Gallagher married Andrew Thomas Sproule born in 1820, from Castlederg, his death date was
January 4, 1902. They had seven children, I have all their birth dates, They moved around the area so it may be hard to find the family. they lived in Castlederg, Castlefin Donegal, and Fronghla. I don't have any dates for Jane Gallagher, but I will look for more information.
Robert Norman Kyle
Tuesday 9th Jul 2013, 10:30PM